First year hops

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jksmith1

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Hello all,

I have heard of several people not harvesting anything off of first year hops. It is mid July and I already have a lot of cones from multiple varieties. I have attached some pictures and am just curious if these are doing well for first year plants. Any insight would be great.

-=Smith=-

0719141922.jpg


0719141921b.jpg
 
They look like they are doing great for 1st year. Harvest away! For your reference, usually 1st year hops are a little grassy compared to the following years


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Thanks for the response Brian. Will the grassyness ruin my batches of beer, should I wait to use them until next year's harvest?
 
Make tea and see what you think of their flavor.

It's about the only way to be sure.

TeeJo
 
Those look very healthy.

I've got a decent first year Chinook that is also doing well for the Houston, Tx area. I've got some of the first hop cones that are starting to turn brown so I'm thinking I need to selectively pick the ones that are older and probably are a bit more "papery" feeling?
 
That sounds about right from everything that I have read. Papery feel to them, leaf tips browning, and a hoppy smell when you handle them. I have also read that they are ready to pick when they are squished and they do not bounce back to their full shape.
 
I don't get a ton of hop smell from them. I'm guessing it's just the first year and the awesome fragrance won't be around until year 2 and beyond. Need to do some reading.
 
Take a cone you think is done off and rip/cut it open tip to tail, you should be able to see tons of lupulin and it should get all over your hands, and be super bitter if you taste it.

The grassy thing isnt necessarily true, you get grass hops if you pick them too early(or dont dry them properly) and stale tasting hops if you pick them too late.

This is what it should look like
2013-08-27%2016.45.06.jpg
 
I will do this as soon as I get home today. Thanks FuzzeeWuzzee!


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